From June 16–20, the SQAT consortium gathered at ILVO in Merelbeke, Belgium, for our in-person GA – a week packed with technical workshops, field demonstrations, and collaborative discussions that brought the project’s mission vividly to life.
With partners joining from across Europe, this was more than a meeting – it was a moment to align, exchange, test, and celebrate our shared progress in bringing smart soil mapping technologies into real-world agricultural practice.
We started the week on the ground – literally. Day 1 opened with interactive presentations directly beside our technical setups, where partners showcased the SQAT robotic platforms and shared the challenges and lessons from development so far.
Service providers then walked us through their workflows, followed by a discussion on how to fully integrate the technical components into operational services. The afternoon continued with practical interface testing on the robot testing field.
Tuesday focused on making our technology work for farmers. Parallel sessions explored how SQAT tools can be deployed across our use cases.
The afternoon shifted to integration: one team tackled hardware interface matching, while another dived into GIS workflows and continuous mapping strategies.
Midweek brought one of the most exciting milestones of the GA – our first full-scale, real-world fertilisation procedure demo.
The morning was spent preparing – aligning tasks, finalising GIS trajectories, and loading up the robots.
In the afternoon, we executed the demo on a live field at ILVO. A powerful proof-of-concept for how SQAT will bring real value to farms across Europe and beyond.
Thursday was dedicated to reflection and forward planning. The full consortium joined for the official GA session, where all work packages reported progress and discussed next steps.
A guided tour of ILVO’s facilities followed, giving insight into the host’s impressive technical infrastructure.
After an afternoon of product and technical discussions, we closed the day with a relaxed BBQ on the robot testing field – a chance to unwind and connect after an intensive week.
We ended on a high note with a tour of ILVO’s workshop and a live robot demo – showcasing soil sensing, navigation, and real-time action in the field.
A final networking lunch gave space for reflection, goodbyes, and next steps.
This week confirmed that the SQAT project is on the right path – technically, strategically, and collaboratively.
We leave Belgium inspired, informed, and ready to continue delivering tools that transform soil data into smarter farming practices.
